The Boswellians

Friday, February 19, 2010

A few weeks ago, the artist of one of my favorite webcomics informed his readers that his good friend Jedidiah Berry's new book had just come out in paperback. Jeph suggested that we all go out and purchase the book. I thought little of it at the time, but as I wandered into work the next day, there it was. A thin Penguin volume, with a strange cover. The Manual of Detection.

Fast forward a few weeks. Between Jeph's suggestion and my own curiosity, I decided to stop slogging my way through House of Leaves (don't get me wrong, it's amazingly written, but I'd be shocked if I was reading it correctly) and give the book a shot. After the first chapter, I was glad I did. It's one of those titles that hooks you in after the first few pages, urging you to read on.

The main character is an eccentric fellow named Charles Unwin, who works as a clerk in a detective agency. His job is simple - take the notes that his designated detective Travis Sivart supplies, and turn them into readable reports. Although not particularly exciting work, he takes great pride in it. Everything changes, however, when his detective disappears, and he is promoted to replace him. So he pursues leads and trails unsavory characters, armed with nothing but an umbrella and the Manual of Detection (basically Detectives For Dummies). All the while completely unsure of what he is doing.

The book is about as surreal as they come. Sivart, rather famous after solving the infamous mystery of The Man Who Stole November 12th, warns Unwin of impending trouble in a dream. The evil Rook brothers, once conjoined twins but now separate (and inseparable), have not slept in 17 years. And an evil force is stealing all the alarm clocks in the city.

It's a remarkably well-written book, so I am actually rather surprised there isn't more buzz about it. I'm just glad they decided to switch the cover dramatically from the hardcover - the original artwork probably wasn't doing them any favors. Nevertheless, Berry's quirky characters and clever turns of phrase are likely to capture any reader's fancy, if given ample opportunity.

Next time you're in, pick up a copy and read the first chapter. It's hard not to like it.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Back in high school, in my Junior year English class, we read Canterbury Tales. The stories were amazing; and just to point out how much of a dork I was, I acquired a copy of the book and read more than the assigned five stories. Every Friday in my English class, five students would give a report on a book that they were reading for leisure. Most of the time it was stuff I was not interested in--again, in high school I was reading a lot of science fiction/fantasy, dork all the way. My friend stood up one Friday and started to talk about a book he described as a 'dark Canterbury Tales.' Yep, you guessed it - Hyperion by Dan Simmons. From that day forward I have been a devoted follower to all things Dan Simmons, which really boils down to just his books.

His new book, Black Hills is out this week, and just like his last two novels, he has ventured more into the land of historical fiction, with a tweak of science fiction. In his new novel, a ten year old Sioux named Paha Sapa (translated as Black Hills) finds himself in the middle of the Battle of Little Big Horn. He is weaponless, but he spies Custer just before he dies and touches him to prove his courage. Custer's soul jumps up and enters Paha Sapa, and resides there for the next 60 years. Simmons style is amazing, as he bounces the narrative from Paha Sapa as a young boy, to Paha Sapa as an old man setting dynamite at Mount Rushmore. You also hear a bit of Custer's story as he tries to ascertain where he is; as you quickly find out, he believes he can not see because of some injury, but he is certain he is alive. It is a glorious story of the transformation that took place in our country at the time. Actually, Dan Simmons introduction to his novel is fantastic, you will find it here.

Also out this last week by Dan Simmons in paperback is Drood. It is the story of the last years of Charles Dickens life, told by his friend Wilkie Collins. There are creepy sections in this book that will give you chills. The London underground is dipicted through opium dens and a maze of tunnels that boats seem to disappear in. Now, this won't happen to everyone, but I did feel the need to read Dickens and Collins after I finished. Daniel had the brilliant idea to form a lunch time bookclub to discuss these epic novels (I don't think either one of them could write a short book). The last time I was ever so enticed to read books related to the subject material of another book was the Crook Factory. Not surprisingly, also by Dan Simmons. That time he hooked me on Hemingway.

It seems that every time a Dan Simmons book comes out, I end up reading other books that I never really would have thought about, or at least thinking about something I never would have. Even with the new book I realized I had never really read any history on that era. While there was nothing extremely obvious for me to read, my Penguin rep Joe Cain comes through to sell his summer list, and there it is. The new Nathanial Philbrick novel about Custer, entitled The Last Stand, which doesn't come out until May. I have not finished this one yet, but I don't think I would have started it so quickly if it was not for the amazing reading experience I had with the Black Hills.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Okay. So some people took umbrage at my earlier portrayal of the genesis of our newest bookclub. I admit it, I took a few liberties with the facts. So let me now present the absolutely unadorned facts of the situation.

The time: The grim darkness of the future.The scene: A dim passageway filled with smoke and fire. Scorchmarks from lasers have blackened the walls. Two soldiers, wearing space armour and bearing slightly smoldering copies of McSweeney's #8733 in their pockets, huddle outside the range of fire. The roar of a space cruiser can be heard overhead.

Jason: (firing his raygun at the enemy) Let's start a science fiction bookclub! We should totally have a science fiction bookclub!

Jocelyn: No argument here. Go for it. (fires laser) Watch out for that droid!

Jason: (dodges gamma ray beams) What book should we pick?

Jocelyn: Who's this "we"?

Jason: You're my partner in crime. You love science fiction and fantasy. (punches remote drone out of the air) Take that, robot scum!

Jocelyn: Good hit there. When will this so-called "In Store SF Bookclub" happen?

Jason: Second Monday of every month at seven pm. So the first meeting will be February 8th. If we live that long....

Jocelyn: (also puts on mask and goggles) I hope people enjoy awesomely complex stories about werewolves, lost poets, evil secret societies, and Old London.

Jason: Sounds like fun! Alright, let's move out! Remember, the only good cyborg...

Jocelyn: ...is a dead cyborg!(exit stage left, pursued by robots)

That's how it happened.

Please join us for the inaugural meeting of the Boswell In-Store SF/F Bookclub, after we return from the grim darkness of the future. We'll be reading The Anubis Gates at the first meeting (which is indeed February 8th, at 7 pm). Come even if you didn't read it. Come even if you hated it. We like lively discussion. Please leave all blasters at home, though.

Please join us for the inaugural meeting of the Boswell In-Store SF/F Bookclub. We'll be reading The Anubis Gates at the first meeting (which is indeed February 8th, at 7 pm). Come even if you didn't read it. Come even if you hated it. We like lively discussion!

Monday, February 1, 2010

Imagine if we had never read the words of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Albert Camus, Jorge Luis Borges, Anton Chekhov, Naguib Mahfouz, Vladimir Nabokov, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Isabel Allende, or Leo Tolstoy. These names are almost instantly recognizable by anyone who has graduated high school. Many of their books are considered "classics" of American literature, even though none of them were originally written in English or by Americans.

To increase the readership and profile of works in translation, the University of Rochester hosts a very smart and inspiring blog, appropriately titled Three Percent. Their mission is simple: introduce Americans to the exquisite and remarkable literature being created across the globe.

Three Percent's annual Best Translated Book Award is in it's baby years yet, but is quickly garnering recognition. Their longlist was announced January 5th, the shortlist will be announced February 16th and final awards given in March. Every day until the final awards are handed out, Three Percent will post reviews of and excerpts from each of the 25 finalists.

The books and authors range from the lost and forgotten to the fresh and contemporary. They come from 24 countries, and are translated from 17 different languages. They are published by 15 publishers, most of whom are independent or small press names.

We currently have a beautiful display of many titles from the BTBA 2010 longlist and encourage you to peruse them the next time you stop in to the store. You may just discover a new favorite!